Question

Study the picture and answer the following questions:

1. Identify the person in the picture with Gandhiji. Why did he come to India?
2. Give any two important points in the proposals given by this person. How did Gandhiji describe his proposals?
3. Why were the proposals of this Mission rejected by both the Congress and the Muslim League?

Answer 1

1. Sir Stafford Cripps came to India to discuss the transfer of power and find solutions to the problems related to the Indian constitution.
2. 1. A Constituent Assembly would be set up. It would have members elected by the Lower House of the Indian Legislature and representatives of the Princely States, who would be chosen by their rulers. The assembly's job was to draft a new constitution.
   2. A federation of British India and the Indian States would be formed. Any province that didn't agree with the constitution could choose to have Dominion Status separately. Gandhiji described these proposals as a "post-dated cheque on a failing bank."
3. 1. The Cripps Mission did not offer immediate independence.
   2. The plan could lead to the partition of the country.
   3. The Hindu Mahasabha rejected the proposals, fearing that India might be divided.
   4. The Sikhs, Anglo-Indians, Indian Christians, and labour leaders opposed the plan because it didn't give enough protection for their interests.
   5. The people of the princely states couldn't send their own representatives to the constitution-making body; their rulers would choose the representatives.